The United States of America, 1919 – 1941 – Sources Question

(a) (i) President Hoover thought that the causes of the Depression of the à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½29 weren't because of the USA lending money to Germany, or because of the Daweà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s Plan, or any other reason that might blame the USA. He thought that all the other countries had the fault or were to be blamed because of the Depression of the à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½29. I think that he thought that way because as he was President from the USA, he was obviously going to defend his country and say that his country had been a victim of all the other countries and problems of other parts of the world. (ii) In source B, the historian who wrote that thinks almost completely different than President Hoover. You can clearly notice the different opinions, as in source B, it says that the Wall Street Crash was the main cause of the economic Depression of 1929, the historian seems to be sure about it. And in source A, Hoover says that, as I have already mentioned before, the USA had absolutely no fault at all of the Depression. Because of these reasons, I can compare both sources and get to the conclusion that the historian of source B did not agree at all with the opinions expressed in source A. (iii) In my opinion, source B is much more reliable and trustworthy, because the historian who wrote that did it in 1984, and it had been a long time since the war finished, and he could analyze all the sources and evidence together. I think that is easier to analyze everything in â€Å"cold†, rather than in â€Å"hot†. I mean that is better to do it after it had happened, than meanwhile it is happening. Also, one thing that is very important is that the historian was, probably, more objective that the President. Because Hoover had so much pressure that he couldn't say that the USA had the fault of the Depression even though he thought that it really did. So, I think that source B is more useful than the other as evidence of the causes of the Depression. (b) (i) One reason why agriculture did not share in the 1920sà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ boom was because of the loss of the European market. During the war America had shipped millions of tons of grain to Europe. Europe ha become the main market for American farm exports. But the First World War had so bankrupted Europe that few Europeans could afford to buy American farm produce any longer. Also, the tariff barriers put up by the Republicans to protect American industries made Europe poorer still so it could not afford American produce. Another reason is that American farmers were also struggling against competition from the highly efficient Canadian wheat producers. All of this came at a time when the population of the USA was actually falling and there were fewer mouths to feed. (ii) The Wall Street Crash began as a stock market and financial crisis, especially with the crisis of the New York stock exchange. In October 1929 the Wall Street stock market crashed, the American economy collapsed, and the USA entered a long depression which destroyed much of the prosperity of the 1920sà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½. The depression passed from finance to industry and from USA to the whole world. Export of American capital came to an end. (iii) The Wall Street Crash lead to a collapse of the US economy because Americans, with their incomes low, couldn't buy foreign goods. People couldn't collect the money they were owed or the money they thought they had in the bank. People could not buy so factories could not sell. Unemployment grew rapidly: skills of older people grew rusty and young people had no opportunity to learn. This made the people feel discouraged and frustrated, so they turned to new and disturbing political ideas. Optimists, including Hoover, thought that the depression was only a low point in the business cycle, and that â€Å"Prosperity was just around the corner†. But others believed that the depression meant the breakdown of the whole system of capitalism. (iv) Hoover was regarded as a â€Å"do nothing† President. He tried to encourage the US export trade although without much success. Even more damaging to Hoover's reputation, was how little he tried to help those who were suffering because of the Depression. He believed that social security was not the responsibility of the Government. Hoover appeared to be heartless and indifferent to the suffering of the American people. There could not be a greater contrast to Hoover than his opponent, the Democrat candidate, Franklin D. Roosevelt, who believed strongly in â€Å"active government† trying to improve the lives of ordinary people; had plans to spend public money on getting people back to work. As Governor of New York he had already started doing this on his own state. He was not afraid to ask on advice on important issues from a wide range of experts such as factory, union leaders or economists.

Government Roles in Healthcare Essay

The government which consists of federal, state and local combined has many important roles in the U.S healthcare system. One of the roles in which the government provides is finance. It is estimated that 48% of healthcare was paid for by public dollars in 2008, which included Medicare, Medicaid, state and local health programs, CHIP, and Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs (Yesalis,Holt,& Politzer,2012). Federal and State governments jointly fund Medicaid, long term mental health services, community health centers and public health programs. The next important role that the government plays in the healthcare system is delivering healthcare to patients. Some examples of healthcare delivery would be the Department of Veterans Affairs which is a federal government operated facility which provides healthcare for veterans. There are hospitals and healthcare facilities which are located on military bases which are run by the federal government that are available for our military service members. There are also federal or state run government healthcare facilities which provide healthcare for uninsured or low income families for little or no cost. The Indian Health Service is another program which is run by the federal government that offers healthcare to American Indians as well. The government also has the role of regulating healthcare. One of the things that the federal government regulates is Medicare and Medicaid providers. State governments are usually more involved when it comes to regulation of healthcare. They regulate things such as: establishing health codes, regulating the insurance industry, and license health care personnel and facilities. The state government works alongside with local health departments to perform other functions as well. Some examples of these are vital statistics, mental health services, and environmental health. References: Yesalis, C., Holt, H., & Politzer, R. (2012). Fundamentals of U.S. Healthcare. Retrieved from http://wow.coursesmart.com/9781428317352/firstsection#

Red Record

Ida B. Wells-Barnett wrote a Red Record in 1895. This remarkable woman wrote this article during a critical time in American History, a time when blacks had civil rights, yet they could not exercise those rights. The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was passed 20 years earlier and slavery was abolished 10 years prior to the Civil Rights Act, still blacks could not exercise their rights. Despite the death threats on her life, Ida B. Wells-Barnett insisted on writing this information to inform the world of the injustices that African-Americans faced in America during this era. In this article, the writer states that southern white people, in essence, butchered blacks for what they (whites) interpreted as â€Å"rape†. White southern men, as the article states, believed that it was impossible for a voluntary alliance to exist between a white woman and a colored man; therefore, the fact of an alliance is proof of force. Ida B. Wells-Barnett put her life and livelihood in danger when she decided to write an editorial in her paper, the Free Speech. Surprisingly, this paper was printed in my hometown, Memphis, Tennessee, on May 21, 1892. The one thing that disturbs me is the way in which southern white men treated blacks in the south. It appalls me to learn that white men, in that era, would go to the extent of breaking into a penitentiary, steal a black man, and then hang him for their definition of rape. The law was established so that every citizen in America could have the right to a fair trial. However, in the South, the law undoubtedly meant nothing to the white man, especially when it came to dealing with matters that involved blacks. The white man felt as if he was â€Å"The Law†. Blacks were freed from slavery in 1865 by the 13th amendment, yet they were still oppressed. Through the accomplishments of the 14th amendment, blacks were given citizenship and the 15th amendment gave black males the right to vote. Blacks, in spite of all their governmental rights, still were not seen as an equal race, but an inferior one by most southern whites. One of the few groups of people that showed compassion towards blacks was northern white women. These women were not seen as aiding the situation to the white man, but as â€Å"nigger teachers†. I feel that the southern white men knew the potential that the blacks had within them; therefore, in an attempt to keep them oppressed, the white man tried to intimidate the northern white women and allege that some black men were raping white women, when in fact the white women may have been attracted to the black man after discovering the intelligence and love he possessed. I am sure race mixing at that time was shunned; however, I do know that it could have taken place. It grieves me to learn that more people died unjustly and without a trial than people who were tried and convicted in a court of law in the United States during this era. Wells-Barnett states that she did not write her paper in the spirit of vindictiveness; nevertheless, it is hard to believe that a person of her status would not want to be vindictive. Plessy v. Ferguson These are excerpts from the trial Plessy vs. Ferguson. Throughout the course of my studies, I have learned that whites and blacks often participated in everyday activities during the 1870's and 1880's. By 1883, this ended after the Supreme Court encouraged racial segregation by overturning the Reconstruction legislation. Plessy was seven-eighths white and one-eighth black. In some southern states if a person had any black blood, they were considered black. Therefore, a group of prominent Lawyers sought to test the constitutionality of a segregation law that was passed in Louisiana in 1890. In my opinion, the judge in this case was racially discriminatory and biased. I agree that this case does not conflict with the 13th amendment; however, it does conflict with the 14th amendment. The following statement was taken from this article, and I believe the judgment was faulty. â€Å"The object of the 14th amendment was undoubtedly to enforce the absolute equality of the two races before the law, but in the nature of things it could not have been intended to abolish distinctions based upon color, or to enforce social, as distinguished from political, equality, or a commingling of the two races upon terms unsatisfactory to either. Laws permitting, and even requiring their separation in places where they are liable to be brought into contact do not necessarily imply the inferiority of either race to the other, and have been generally, if not universally, recognized as within the competency of the state legislatures in the exercise of their police power †¦. † This statement is, as far as I can tell, a statement that condones racial inequality. There is no doubt that the 14th amendment guarantees all men equality before the law. On the surface, it may not imply racial inferiority; nevertheless, it indicates that the law has no jurisdiction when it comes to social equality as opposed to legal equality. Due to the outcome of this case, racial segregation was condoned by the Supreme Court, a decision that stood for the next fifty years. Report on Wounded Knee Massacre and the Decrease in Indian Acreage (1891) This article contains excerpts from an annual message written in December 1891. It is not clear to me who the author of this message is; nevertheless, what is clear is that there were some major hostilities between the Sioux Indians and the white settlers of this era. The Sioux were upset about the reduction of the appropriation for rations and the delays attending the enactment of laws to enable the Department of the Interior to perform the engagements entered into with them. From this article and what I understand from the text, the Wounded Knee Massacre is one of the most merciless events that our history holds in its deep dark past. I understand why the Sioux warriors were excited by the teachings of their medicine men and chiefs. Hearing of an Indian messiah that would endower them with power to destroy the white man was more than enough to excite the Sioux. The Sioux expressed their excitement in a set of dances and rites known as the Ghost Dances. These dances made the white settlers who lived near the reservation uneasy; therefore, the Army was called in to protect the settlers. I believe if the white man had not begun to take land from the Native Americans, then this massacre would have not happened. The article states that from March 4, 1889 to December 9, 1891, about 23,000,000 acres of Indian reservations was taken and added to the public domain, this is a harsh fact. The white man caused many Indians to leave their way of life and assimilate into the white man's society. It appalls me that the writer of this article had the audacity to call the Indian reservation â€Å"waste land†. I hope the interpretation of this statement means that the land was being wasted because it was not being used to the capacity in which the white man envisioned. In closing, I believe the damage that was done to the Indians is irreversible. Tragedy at Wounded Knee (1890) This article tells of the horrifying story, the tragedy at Wounded Knee. The trouble, as stated by Red Cloud, started when the Indians first made treaties with Government. The signing of those treaties marked the end of the Indian's old way of life and customs; the white man was settling on their land and pushing the Indians out. Red Cloud states that the only way left for the Indians was to adopt the white man's way of life. The Government promised them all the means necessary for them to live on their land, yet the government never made good on all of the promises. On the other hand, the Indians were given tools and means to work their land; nevertheless, the few things they did receive helped a little but not enough to make a difference in their lives. The Government did make an Indian Department; however, the Agents were more interested in self-gain, than helping the Indians. This made a bad situation worse. The Government took their (Indians) ponies under the promise that oxen and large horses would replace the ponies. It seems to me that the Government did everything within its power to disrupt the Indian's way of life and culture. The Government did everything from taking the Indian's land to removing the â€Å"real chief†. Throughout history the United States government has done what ever it took for them to stay economically stable. No matter what the situation was, be it taking land and starving Indians or oppressing and enslaving African-Americans, this behavior has been a routine practice of our Government. I thought African-Americans had it bad during this era, however, it seems that the Indians had it just as bad or worse. I cannot imagine the way the Indians felt when their land, traditions, customs, the way they hunted for food, their rituals, and all the things that they cherished was taken; and to add to the sorrow, they were forced to assimilate into a white mans world. This had to be an awful feeling. From what I understand from the text, the Wounded Knee Massacre is one of the most tragic events that our history holds in its past. The picture this article paints during this horrific event is one that I cannot fathom in my mind. The sound of machine gun fire and seeing dead bodies in the snow paid its toll on the Indian. This event along with others like it has caused the Indian to question the very existence of his God. A Sharecrop Contract (1882) A sharecrop contract, in my opinion, contained many passive forms of slavery. Although the croppers had basic freedoms, they were still controlled by the landowner. This contract's tone seems to be a demanding one. The croppers had no choice other than to agree with this contract. Disagreeing could have cost the cropper jail time. It seems that they had no other options, because all of them were former slaves and the only trade that the majority of them had was fieldwork; therefore, there was no better way to make a living than this. Nevertheless, this was not, by any means, a â€Å"great† way of life. The croppers were allowed to keep half of their crop, only if they complied with every demand in the contract. If they did not comply, then they only received two-fifths of their crop. Crops in which they worked and sweated so hard to plant, cultivate, and harvest. The rest went to the landowner. After reading such a contract, I believe that most croppers were discouraged, yet they knew that was the only way for them to survive. In this particular contract, the landowner had a policy that not only included him receiving half of the crop, but the cropper had to feed his workers three times a day. Many other things in this contract disgust me. One such thing is that the croppers could not sell anything until the landowner was paid, yet before a cropper could bring home his net gain; the landowner had taken an eighteenth of the croppers fifty percent. The reason for this is the landowner charged the cropper to gin and pack all of his (cropper) cotton. In addition, the cropper had to haul, plow in cotton and corn stalks, clean out ditches, and repair fences. Above all the freedoms the sharecropper had, nothing could be more discouraging than the contracts that they were forced to sign. When I speak of force, I do not mean physical force. These people had no other choice in the matter; this is why I say it is passive slavery. Instead of being beaten, these croppers could now be thrown into jail for not complying with the sharecropper's contract. The life of a sharecropper can be best described as a person trapped in a revolving door; trapped in a system that was never designed for the sharecropper to become economically stable, but to keep them economically unstable and needy. They were trapped in a continuous effort to pay off their debts. Consequently, most sharecroppers never became wealthy.

History of olympic games Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

History of olympic games - Term Paper Example The system in vogue then was, the Spartan messages were particularly carried by naked runners and they ran between the city-states. Travel light was one of the purposes of their nakedness and also to prove that they did not carry anything unlawful except the message. Thus they were able to run one hundred miles in one day, ensuring the speedy delivery of the messages. Training athletes began with gymnastic exercises a month before the Olympics were to commence. Total nakedness was considered as homage to the gods and gratitude for the male form. It was sort of a security check that women camouflaged as males did not participate in the games. The procedure at the starting point of the race differed much as compared to the present practice in vogue. Twenty contenders stood erect with their arms extended in front of them. The race would be re-run, if the first resulted in a tie. Peace was the watchword during the ancient Olympic Games. It was known as â€Å"ekecheiria†, meaning à ¢â‚¬Å"holding of hands.† Safety of the competitors and spectators was assured and all wars, mutual threats and capital punishment stood suspended during the course of games. The ancient Olympic Games were linked to warfare as per the specially adopted procedure. The participants would run 800 yards in full body armor. Thus it was a competition of strength clubbed with speed. That was also to remind all concerned about the physical demands of warfare. In the 3nd century AD, virgins were allowed entry to the Olympic Games as spectators. But for the married women traced watching the game, it was inviting death. They would be thrown off the cliff at Mount Trypeum. Punishment for cheating was almost instant. Judges carried a switch to beat the frauds they were able to catch. Those who indulged in malpractices were fined and bribery and fixing of bets were punishable offences. Complaints regarding corruption were properly investigated and punishment was severe. The participating ath letes mostly did not receive any monetary rewards but were hailed as the proud boys of the city. Sometimes, olive oil, and vases were given as prizes. Star athletes received special favors from the state. Politicians of the state met the expenses of the participating athletes. The ancient Olympics were abolished in 393 A.D. The Olympic Games were revived in 1896.A Frenchman, Pierre de Coubertin, is considered as the father of the modern Olympics and he founded the International Olympic Committee. The Olympic flag, and its five rings, was first flown at the 1920 games in Antwerp, Belgium. After that launch, the flag has been flown at every Olympic event, both summer and winter, ever since. This icon is one of the most widely recognized signs in the word today. The place to hold the first Olympic Games was Athens, Greece. The Games became truly international when for the first time in 1912, for the Games in Stockholm, Sweden, athletes representing five continents participated. World W ar I interrupted the Olympics in 1916. But in 1920, Games were held in Antwerp, Belgium. The significance of Olympic Rings The five rings signify the five continents that take part in the Olympic Games

Social Issues in Public Sector Human Resource Management in 2034 Research Paper

Social Issues in Public Sector Human Resource Management in 2034 - Research Paper Example This research will begin with the statement that many controversies that are commonly encountered in the public sector fall under human resource management (HRM). AS a matter of fact, HRM accounts for the greatest operating expenditures in the majority of public agencies. The activities of human resource managers in the public sector greatly affect government workers and consequently, public policy. Over the last quarter of the century, many things have happened and much has changed in the various aspects of human life. One of the most remarkable and most impacting happenings is the World War III. During this period many nations including the US used a good portion of their economic and human resources.   Owing to the magnitude of the war and its impacts on society, the country had to traverse a season of recession with its numerous challenges. At the present, the country is striving to address many social issues through its public agencies hence public personnel management is more relevant to the country today than ever. Considering the events of the past 25 years, it is beyond doubt that the human resource has evolved significantly, needs and demands being quite a lot different today.   Among the most vital issues that the current human resource needs to address include reward systems, affirmative action, and social security. Before the Third World War, the United States of America enjoyed a stable economy, the presence of a promising social security system and a relatively peaceful working environment.... The two main components of a reward system are performance and reward according to Norma (67). Over the years, rewards mainly have taken the form of affiliation, direct and indirect financial rewards, and career-related rewards. The hierarchical based rewards system is best suited to organizations that have had sustained success. The recent economic recession has made it difficult for most organizations to reward their employees using this system due to a general decline in the qualitative and quantitative output of the organizations. Most companies have gone through long periods of reduced profits and this has challenged the use of any type of financial rewards. The difficulty of using financial rewards has forced many companies to resort to the utilization of affiliate forms of reward like appraisals. Due to competitive business environment, companies are shifting to career-related motivations like employee education. Furthermore, public agencies have resorted to greater applicatio n of reward systems that focus more on intrinsic motivation as opposed to extrinsic motivation as has been the case during times of favorable economic environments. Formerly HR experts focused their actions on rewarding individual employees more than rewarding groups of workers. On their part, those of present times focus on encouraging group rewards. The present day HR professionals mainly focus on reward systems that promote intrinsic motivation among employees such as recognition and appreciation. Yet again, the current trend is in putting the employee in control of their payslip and rewards. Affirmative action Affirmative action has been very important in ensuring that groups of people who are underrepresented in terms of color, race, nationality or

Evaluation and Opinion on Oligopoly Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Evaluation and Opinion on Oligopoly - Essay Example The new oligopoly is made up of multinational corporations that have chosen specific product or service categories to dominate. In each category, over time, only two to four major players prosper. Starting a new company in thatmarket segmentis difficult, and the few that do succeed are often gobbled up or run out of business by the oligopolies. (Oligopoly, 2006a) Strategic Interaction: when only a few firms operate in a market, they will soon recognize their interdependence. Strategic Interaction, which is genuinely a new feature of oligopoly, occurs when each firm's business plans depend upon the behavior of its rivals. Analyzation reveals that economists are particularly concerned about industries characterized by imperfect competition. One reason is that such industries behave in certain ways that are unfavorable to the public interest. For example imperfect competition generally leads to prices that are above marginal costs; this results in an inefficient allocation of resources. The result of such high prices leads oligopolistic industries towards supernormal profits. However in depth studies shows concentrated industries having only slight higher rates of profit than unconcentrated ones. (Nordhaus, 1998, p. 171) The distinguishing characteristic of oligopoly is the interdependence among firms in the industry. Since an oligopolist knows that its own actions will have a significant impact on the other oligopolists in the industry, each oligopolist must consider the possible reaction of competitors in deciding its pricing policies, the degree of product differentiation to introduce, the level of advertising to undertake, the amount of service to provide etc. Since competitors can react in many ways, therefore we possess several oligopoly models based on the particular behavioral response of competitors to the actions of the first. Because of this interdependence, managerial decision-making is much more complex under oligopoly than under other forms of market structure. (Salvatore, 2001, p. 427) The following are the sources of oligopoly, which represent the barriers to other firms entering in the market in the long run: Economies of scale may operate over a sufficiently large range of outputs as to leave only a few firms supplying the entire market. Huge capital investments and supplying inputs are usually required to enter an oligopolistic industry and this acts as an important natural barrier to entry. A few firms may own a patent for the exclusive right to produce a commodity or to use a particular production process. Established firms may have a loyal following of customers based on product quality and service that new firms would find very difficult to match. A few firms may own or control the entire supply of a raw material required in the production of a product. A

Zoning ordinance of Dearborn city in Michigan, USA Research Paper

Zoning ordinance of Dearborn city in Michigan, USA - Research Paper Example The ordinance included size of the open spaces required, density of population and required parking spaces for avoiding traffic congestion (Municode, â€Å"City Of Dearborn Zoning Ordinance†). The zoning ordinance was adopted in the year 1993. It was further amended in 2011. However, a code enforcement officer was not available with the municipality of Dearborn (Municode, â€Å"Zoning Ordinance†). The Dearborn Zoning Board of Appeals consists of: †¢ Christopher Gibbs – Chairperson †¢ Stephen Gedert - Vice Chairman †¢ Kenneth Gusfa – Secretary †¢ Gary Jefferson, and Susan Binder – Commissioners Technical Advisors: Bill DeBiasi - Assistant City Attorney; Thomas Paison - Zoning Administrator; Stephen Guile - Commercial Services are also included in the Board of Appeals. The meetings of the board are conducted on the third or fourth Thursday of every month in the City Council Chambers at City Hall (City of Dearborn, â€Å"ZBA Meeting Minutes†). Thesis Statement The discussion intends to highlight the information relating to zoning ordinance of Dearborn city in Michigan, USA and the related purposes of the various zones. The discussion will also attempt to analyze a particular case and identify the kind of violation made with regard to the specifications of the ordinance.

The Influence Of Technology On Hospitality Firms Essay

The Influence Of Technology On Hospitality Firms - Essay Example The hospitality industry is a very wide and far reaching industry that covers many businesses and people. It has been defined as including hotels, restaurant, and all facilities that provide shelter, food, and other services to people away from home. Hence, there is an appreciation of the grand scale of facilities that are covered within the hospitality industry. This article will assess the role that technology has played in ensuring that this industry has continued to be effectively managed (Barrows & Powers, 2009). Technology in the Hospitality Industry The hospitality industry has for a long time been slow in adopting technology. Due to its sensitive nature, the hospitality firms have always been more interested in enhancing interpersonal contact with their clients rather than having technology do the same for them (Jones, 2008). The need to ensure that the clients get that personal touch has seen the hospitality industry get the description of being ‘low tech and high touc h’. Jones argues that the human interaction has remained of paramount importance in the hospitality industry (Jones, 2008). However, there has been a move towards the adoption of Information Technology (IT) within this industry. Several benefits can be achieved from the adoption of technology within the hospitality industry. ... Additionally, technology can be helpful to employees who deal with clients to customize the whole interaction process (Jones, 2008). This means that the hospitality firm will still be within its paramount goal of enhancing inter-personal contact with the clientele. Conversely, in this case, the technology will come in to enhance the whole experience making it more pleasant to the client. As a result, this will be helpful in ensuring that the firm gets a return customer. On the other hand, the customers will also benefit from the adoption of technology by the hospitality firm. In essence, they will be in a position to use technology independently to customize service delivery, and his/her delight (Jones, 2008). This means that there are cases when the customer who is known to frequently use the services of a hospitality firm gets to enjoy a form of special treatment whenever they visit the firm. The Ritz Carlton, for example, has a service, which allows it to handle sudden and unexpec ted demands of a client. This also includes arranging to have the client’s preferences of food, and other services such as entertainment provided whenever the client has visited the hotel (Jones, 2008). The emergence of the Web 2.0 has been a great influence on the habits of tourists. It has a tremendous amount of influence on the manner that they plan and consume travel related products (Fuchs et al, 2012). This means that there is a lot of potential to involve the internet in the hospitality industry. A travelling agency can take advantage of this fact to place all its packages online. With different destinations, as well as the costs of each package, a client will go through all this information, and then settle on what they think suits them. All this can easily

Decartes argument on the existence of God Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Decartes argument on the existence of God - Essay Example Descartes thought the only way to attain true knowledge was to depend only on human reasoning while disregarding the role of the senses, if any. â€Å"His philosophy refused to accept the Aristotelian and Scholastic traditions that had dominated philosophical thought throughout the Medieval period; it attempted to fully integrate philosophy with the ‘new sciences’; and Descartes changed the relationship between philosophy and theology. Such new directions of philosophy made Descartes into a revolutionary figure† (Baillet 1693). For this revelation, he is now universally celebrated as the father of modern philosophy. Through this works regarding the development in thought, he was also known as the founder of modern day mathematics and scientific method. In forming his ideas, Descartes wrote many books, including his most well-known, â€Å"Discourse on Method†, first published in 1637, concerning the nature of knowledge and human existence. â€Å"Discourse o n Method† is divided into three sections Descartes described and named ‘meditations.’ It is in the third of these meditations that Descartes reflected upon the true nature of God and determined that He is indeed real and exists more than just in people’s minds. ... â€Å"In this item of first knowledge, there is simply a clear and distinct perception of what I am asserting; this would not be enough to make me certain of the truth of the matter if it could ever turn out that something which I perceived with such clarity and distinctness was false. So I now seem to be able to lay it down as a general rule that whatever I perceived very clearly and distinctly is true† (Descartes, 1637). One of the first notions that he professed in this line of thinking was that he had a fundamental idea that God exists. Descartes’ reasoning that God did indeed exist outside just the mind of man he had to have had a causation of some type because he had previously proven that nothing comes from nothing. Descartes rationalized that this cause must be based at least as much in reality as the idea. However, since he did not think himself infinitely perfect, of course, Descartes rationalized he could not have thought of this idea all on his own therefore there must be an remote cause that is infinitely perfect. Only God is infinitely perfect so God must indeed exist. â€Å"Descartes assumes that we have an idea of God as an actually infinite being, not just a being that is as great as we can imagine by extending the finite perfections of a human being. For this reason, it is impossible for us to have constructed our idea of God through an extension of the idea we have of ourselves or any other finite creature† (Rutherford, 2006). The second argument Descartes’ used to prove God’s existence emanates from his own ability to envision something perfect despite himself being imperfect. This second argument starts with the understanding that he exists – again, â€Å"I

Finding common ground Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Finding common ground - Essay Example Both its proponents and opponents are very vocal about their respective points of view. Some headway has been made as regards this issue within specific states in America. However, the jury is still out on certain contentious issues regarding this matter. These include matters such as; who has the right to define what a marriage is, should a judge decide on such matters, or should this decision be left to the public through a popular vote. In the Newsweek article by Anna Quindlen, the author starts by recognizing the significance of the ruling in Loving v. Virginia which stated that interracial marriages were not illegal as had earlier been ruled. Before this, it was considered a crime to be party to interracial marriage and Mr. Richard Loving and his wife Mildred Jeter were accused of miscegenation (Quindlen, 1). The Supreme Court ruled that marriage is one of the basic civil rights of man and cannot be denied on the basis of race. In this article the author who is a proponent of same sex marriage argues that in most cases the decision against same sex marriage are influenced by the financial factor and in most cases religion is only used as a scapegoat for the rejection of same sex rights(Quindlen, 2). The author argues that by continuing to refuse to legally recognize unions between individuals of the same sex, there are benefits that are being forgone such as the ability of these couples to adopt children and give them a better chance of advancing in life. The author also scoffs the notion that allowing homosexuals to adopt children will distort the image of marriage in the eyes of these children, arguing that heterosexuals have already done this on their own without much help from the gay community (Quindlen, 4). In the second article titled Interracial Marriage: Slippery Slope? By La Shawn Barber, the author argues that the decision in Loving v Virginia was totally justified and cannot be compared to gays demanding for the right to marriage (La

Keystone Species Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Keystone Species - Essay Example The populations of big-cat prey including the red coati (Nasua nasua), the agouti (Dasyprocta variegata), and the paca (Agouti paca) are about ten times higher than on Cocha Cashu, Peru, where big cats still live. However, this increase may result from natural population variability rather than the lack of jaguars and pumas. The extreme removal of herbivores and frugivorous mammals would drastically affect forest regeneration, altering tree species composition, but the effects of modest changes in densities are less clear. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is a keystone predator par excellence (Duggins 1980). A population of around 200,000 once thrived on the kelp beds lying close to shore from northern Japan, through Alaska, to southern California and Mexico. In 1741, Vitus Bering, the Danish explorer, reported seeing great numbers of sea otters on his voyage among the islands of the Bering Sea and the North Pacific Ocean. Some furs were taken back to Russia and soon this new commodity was highly prized for coats. Hunting began. In 1857, Russia sold Alaska to the United States for $7,200,000. This cost was recouped in forty years by selling sea otter pelts. In 1885 alone, 118,000 sea otter pelts were sold. By 1910, the sea otter was close to extinction, with a world-wide population of fewer than 2,000. It was hardly ever seen along the Californian coast from 1911 until 1938. The inshore marine ecosystem changed where the sea otter disappeared. Sea urchins, which were eaten by the otters, underwent a population explosion. They consumed large portions of the kelp and other seaweeds. While the otters were present, the kelp formed a luxuriant underwater forest, reaching from the sea bed, where it was anchored, to the sea surface. With no otters to keep sea-urchins in check, the kelp vanished. Stretches of the shallow ocean floor were turned into sea-urchin barrens, which were a sort of submarine desert. Happily, a few pairs of sea otters had managed to survive in the outer Aleutian Islands and at a few localities along the southern Californian coast. Some of these were taken to intermediate sites in the United States and Canada where they were protected by strict measures. With a little help, the sea otters staged a comeback and the sea urchins declined. The lush kelp forest grew back and many lesser algae moved in, along with crustaceans, squids, fishes, and other organisms. Grey whales migrated closer to shore to park their young in breaks along the kelp edge while feeding on the dense concentrations of animal plankton. Keystone predators sometimes are more effective within certain parts of their range. The sea star (Pisaster ochraceus) is a keystone predator of rocky intertidal communities in western North America (Paine 1995). This starfish preys primarily on two mussels Mytilus californianus and Mytilus trossulus. A study along the central Oregon coast showed that three distinct predation regimes exist (Menge, B. A., and T. L. Freidenburg. 2001). Strong keystone predation occurs along wave-exposed headlands. Less strong predation by sea stars, whelks, and possibly other predators occurs in a wave-protected cove. Weak predation occurs at a wave-protected site regularly buried by sand. If keystone species do exist, how do the links within a system dominated by such a

Retirement vs. Strife in Old Age Essay Example for Free

Retirement vs. Strife in Old Age Essay A man that spends many years in active service be it for himself or for a more noble reason such as his country or people, would more certainly than not find retirement a disorienting prospect once he faces it. Retirement means stopping whatever has kept one alive and working for most of his healthy years. It means realigning his goals, getting used to other, more leisurely and less strenuous habits as befitting old age, and preparing to face death with peace and resignation. In Lord Alfred Tennyson’s poem â€Å"Ulysses†, the mythical hero of Homer’s epics expresses his anxiety about coming back home to Ithaca to reclaim his old responsibilities as king after years of traveling overseas and fighting the Trojan war, and his desire of undertaking a new adventure, instead. The poem begins with Ulysses dreading his return to resume the job of â€Å"an idle king† (Tennyson 1). He could not imagine the relevance of staying home â€Å"with an aged wife† (Tennyson 3) and to â€Å"mete and dole† (Tennyson 4) rewards or punishments to the people he governs—most of whom he does not know nor they of him but for his position as king. Ulysses does not like his former life of idleness and monotony even if it was a life of comfort and wealth. He prefers to travel and seek for adventures, testing life to its limits. For Ulysses, traveling means enjoying and suffering unpredictable moments. The sea and foreign lands, unlike a kingdom, presents varied and new experiences. Those that he had experienced so far have given him â€Å"a hungry heart† (Tennyson 12). His voyages have brought him to strange places, allowed him to interact with different peoples, customs and cultures, and meet creatures unimaginable if one simply stayed in one place all his life. Moreover, he has experienced the â€Å"drunk delight† (Tennyson 16) of war in Troy. Nothing in his kingdom could equal the things he did and witnessed. All that Ulysses saw and did made him what he has become and has produced a kind of restlessness or thirst upon his soul that cannot now be satiated by ruling a kingdom. This past life as king has become dull in comparison to his life as a voyager and soldier. According to him, a person who is contented with his present life is like rusting and acknowledging that the only purpose of life is to breathe. Ulysses wants to â€Å"follow knowledge like a sinking star/ Beyond the utmost bound of human thought† (Tennyson 31-32). He would like to keep exploring and test the boundaries of the capacities of an ordinary mortal, even one who is already old and less agile. He believes that one’s age is not a factor to consider because â€Å"old age hath yet his honor and his toil† (Tennyson 50). Only death can stop and end the possibilities that life has to offer. In the end, Ulysses appoints his son, Telemachus, to take his place as king, leaving him â€Å"the scepter and the isle† (Tennyson 34). Meanwhile, he prepares to embark on another journey. The speaker’s exhortations to his former companions in the final stanza may well be read as words that any man should well take heed as a personal advice, especially those who are contemplating a sedentary retirement in their senior years. The lines encourage everyone to not worry about the physical limitations that old age imposes upon every individual because the weakness of the body can easily be overcome when one is â€Å"strong in will† (Tennyson 69). This is also how a heroic life is lived.

Strategic Planning For British Airways Management Essay

Strategic Planning For British Airways Management Essay The purpose of this paper is to evaluate an effective and efficient strategic planning for airline industry providing British Airways strategic plan. British Airways leading UK market as a leader of the airline industries. This paper evaluate the British Airways strategic planning including the strategic model, Enternal and external environmental enalysis,management risk and strategic v operational risk. This paper is done by secondary data collection process which is totally qualitative data base paper. Most of the information I got from British Airways own website (www.britishairways.com) and some are from some Book, Journals and Articles. Mainly for their (British Airways) business strategy planning they are following some strategic models like Porters five forces model, PESTEL analysis, and SWOT analysis etc. By those analysis organization can understand like British airways can understand that what is their external and internal condition and what is the strength for them ,what is opportunity and weakness and based on those factors they are trying to compete with their competitors and getting good market share in the tourism and hospitality industry. Contents 3 1.1 Objectives 5 1.2 Company Overview 6 1.2.1 Company Structure 6 1.2.2 Corporate Level Structure 7 1.2.3 Business Level Structure 7 1.2.4 Functional Level Structure 7 1.3 Current Strategies 8 2.0 Environmental Analysis(External Analysis) 9 2.1 PESTEL Analysis 9 2.2 SWOT analyses 11 3.0 Strategic Planning Model 11 S 11 Internal Strengths 11 Brand Image 11   Partnerships HYPERLINK #__RefHeading__29263_575820157HYPERLINK #__RefHeading__29263_575820157 Alliances 11   Financial size and stability 11   Terminal 5 11 W 11 Internal Weaknesses 11 Poor employee relations history 11   Reliability and trust 11   Innovation HYPERLINK #__RefHeading__29277_575820157HYPERLINK #__RefHeading__29277_575820157 change 11 0 11 External Opportunities 11 Quality System 11   Competitors forced exit 11   Competitors failing on delivering reliability 11   Emergence of new markets 11 T 11 External Threats 11 Open Skies Agreement 11   Environmental awareness 11   Global economic crisis 11   Lower cost competition 11 3.1 Porters Five Forces 12 4.0 Customer Analysis 13 5.0 Competitor Analysis 15 5.1 Strategic Groups 15 6.0 Internal Analysis 17 6.1 Value Chain Analysis (VCA) 17 17 6.2 Key Strategic Issues 20 7.0 Implementation 22 8.0 Managing Risk 24 9.0 Ethics 24 10.0 Strategic V Operational Conflict 25 11.0 Recommendation 26 11.1 Financial 26 11.2 People 26 11.3 Legal 26 11.0 Conclusion 27 1.1 Objectives The main objective of this paper is to develop the internal external environmental analysis and strategic planning with risk management and business ethics. Specific objectives are following, Evaluate the current strategic position of British Airways. Analyse the strategic Planning Models for British Airways. Analyse British Airways internal and external environment. 1.2 Company Overview British Airways is the UKs largest international scheduled airline. At the side of scheduled services, BA is engaged in the operation of international and domestic carriage of freight and mail, and the ancillary services (Datamonitor, 2008). In association with codeshare and franchise partners, BA fly to more than 300 destinations, and carried more than 33 million passengers, earning over  £8.7 billion in revenue in 2007/08 (British Airways, 2008). Employee headcount in March 2008 stood at 42,377 people (Datamonitor, 2008). Since privatisation in 1987, BA has continued to grow as competition in the market has risen worldwide. In recent times, BA has successfully been labelled the worlds first airline to take part in a scheme to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (2002) and to allow passengers to print online boarding passes (2004) (British Airways, 2008). In 2005, the company saw Willie Walsh become Chief Executive of BA (Flight Global, 2008), who to date has driven the company through the completion of Terminal 5 at Heathrow, amongst other new initiatives. Despite reported and imminent industry hits due to the global economic downturn, BAs future looks promising. As BA announces its aim of becoming the worlds most responsible airline in the latest annual report (British Airways, 2008), great importance lies in developing guiding principles and careful strategic direction to allow the achievement of this goal. 1.2.1 Company Structure When implementing strategy, people are crucial to the success (Johnson et al., 2008), therefore the structure within BA will now be analysed to ensure successful implementation. 1.2.2 Corporate Level Structure (Adapted from British Airways, 2008). At a corporate level, BA has a good structure already in place. There is a new Acting Customer Director on an interim basis, Silla Maizey (British Airways, 2008). She has introduced a new customer service team working with Heathrow Customer Services, designed to put customers first. Using the current structure to implement our strategy, it is recommended that a permanent and not acting director to be recruited. In terms of the technological strategy, no amendments to the current structure are necessary as BA already have systems in place to implement new technology. 1.2.3 Business Level Structure At a business level each department will need to ensure all staff implements the strategies that have come top-down from a corporate level and work within the organisations brand values. Each department must also tailor the corporate level objectives specifically to its own targets. This will help to build the brand, improve its customer relationship focus and achieve the stated objectives. 1.2.4 Functional Level Structure Every function must coordinate with each other to ensure objectives are met and an updated operations manual must be developed. Specifically for the relations strategy, detailed targets must be stated for both the marketing and HR functions with constant data capture and analysis to see whether the targets are being met. Sufficient training on the new onboard technology will be necessary on an ongoing basis to ensure that employees are fully familiar with the service. 1.3 Current Strategies The paper will be designed in consideration of BAs current strategies: Upgrade customer experience via the introduction of text and mobile services for business class customers. Modernise aircraft fleet and offer new services. Manage cost base. Increase corporate responsibility through environmental performance and partnerships. 2.0 Environmental Analysis(External Analysis) For success within the airline industry, an awareness of the external environment is essential. This section aims to highlight the position of the industry, in particular looking at competitors and assessing BAs capability to meet current and future challenges. 2.1 PESTEL Analysis (Source: Johnson et al., 2008, p56) Figure 1-Pastel Analysis Factors BA Implication Political 1. Heavy regulation (AEA, 2009). BA: Compliance is essential if BA wants to continue operations 2.Increased security due to past terrorist threats (DFT, 2008). BA: Sufficient security measures should be in place to ensure consumer confidence and competitive advantage is maintained. Economic 1.Global economic crisis:World growth is projected to just over 2  percent in 2009 (IMF, 2008). Pound weakens especially against the Euro. BA: Possible reduction in the amount of business travel as companies are cutting costs and using alternative means of communication such as teleconferencing. BA is vulnerable as a UK operating airline to a poor exchange rate. 2. Oil prices: declined by >50 % since their peak retreating to 2007 levels. Decline in fuel price = strengthening of the dollar (IMF, 2008) BA: Fluctuations in oil prices and exchange rates will directly affect BAs cost base. 3. UK consumer spending saw its sharpest decline for 13 years between July and September 2008 (Channel 4, 2008). BA: More intense competition Social 1.The UK has an aging population (see appendix 3) (National Statistics Online, 2008). BA:Potential opportunities for growth as older generations havemore time to spend on leisure activities such as international travel. 2. Increasing unemployment (Kollewe and Sager, 2008). BA: Increased bargaining power as an employer. Technological 1.A recent survey revealed that 34% of online consumers plan to use price-comparison sites more in 2009 (NMA, 2009). BA: Increased consumer awareness and therefore bargaining power. 2. Online booking services and check-in is becoming increasingly used by the airline industry. BA: BA must ensure that they remain up to date with these technological advances whilst avoiding becoming overly reliant, as this may isolate certain consumer markets (i.e the elderly) who dont feel comfortable using such technology. Environmental/Ethical 1.Noise pollution controls,and energy consumption controls (DFT, 2008). BA:New legislation (e.g. Climate Change Bill) enforcing tighter environmental regulation may increase operational costs each year. 2.Limited land and for growing airports Expansion is difficult at Heathrow as it would result in a loss in the Londons Green belt area. (BBC News 2006) BA:Limited capacity=>utilisation of capacity. 3.Consumers are becoming increasingly green and more aware of the environmental impact of their actions. BA:Failure to adopt an integrated environmental strategy could lead to a detrimental effect on the BAs reputation and income. 4.Cancellations of flights and loss of baggage (Channel 4, 2008). BA: Such ethical issues could have a detrimental effect on reputation if left unresolved. Legal 1.Collusion and price fixing. BA:Restriction on mergers will have an impact on BAs proposed alliance with American Airlines. 2. Recognition of trade unions and industrial action e.g. Cabin Crew strikes. BA:Good employee relations are essential if BA wants to avoid industrial action and interrupted operations. 3.Open Skies Agreement (AEA, 2009) BA:Opportunity for BA and its competitors to freely transport aircraft between the EU and US. 2.2 SWOT analyses Figure 2-SWOT analyses S Internal Strengths Brand Image   Partnerships Alliances   Financial size and stability   Terminal 5 W Internal Weaknesses Poor employee relations history   Reliability and trust   Innovation change 0 External Opportunities Quality System   Competitors forced exit   Competitors failing on delivering reliability   Emergence of new markets T External Threats Open Skies Agreement   Environmental awareness   Global economic crisis   Lower cost competition 3.0 Strategic Planning Model 3.1 Porters Five Forces (Source: Johnson et al., 2008, p60) It is important to analyse the competitive nature of the airline industry in order to assess the position of BA. The Five Forces tool will enable BA to make strategic decisions in order to increase profitability. Force Strength Competitive Rivalry BA caters for both long haul and short haul flights. Within long haul there is little differentiation between BA and their competitors, in terms of price and service offering. The short haul market is more fragmented with many small players. Direct competitive rivalry is fierce, e.g. Virgin has a website opposing the proposed strategic alliance between BA and AA No Way BA/AA (Virgin Atlantic, 2008). Consolidation of competitors has increased competition. HIGH Power of Suppliers Two aircraft manufacturers = High bargaining power. BA restricted by sole supplier of fuel to the airport. Priority of landing slots is given to historic rights of existing users (IATA, 2008). BA employees use collective bargaining through trade unions in order to increase their bargaining power HIGH Power of Buyers Low concentration of buyers to suppliers means they have little bargaining power. Increased internet usage has amplified awareness and interaction of customers (Keynote, 2008c). MEDIUM Threat of New Entrants Significant barriers to entry: such as the competitive environment, high regularity requirements and high capital cost requirements. Barriers to exit are in place which deters new entrants. The failure of recent airlines such as XL and Zoom is likely to deter new entrants (Times Online, 2008). LOW Threat of Substitutes There are few direct substitutes: Short haul flights: the Eurostar or a ferry. Long haul flights: no notable substitutes. LOW 4.0 Customer Analysis Over the past decade there has been increasing complexity in customer needs, as the customer has become more educated and demanding. Particularly, the following changes have occurred: A shift in demographics to older passengers (Keynote, 2008c). Increased global connectivity allowing the usage of internet and search mediums (e.g. comparison and review websites). Increased requirement for convenience (e.g. new destinations, quick check-in). Price has become more of a priority Segments have become more defined within their needs. Evidence that BA is failing to respond to the changing customer landscape includes: The amount of BA customers recommending their services reduced from 61% in 2006/07 to 59% in 2007/08 (British Airways, 2008). BA have been criticised for slow innovation (Doganis, 2006, Pg 165). Poor reliability and baggage handling (AQR) Failed attempts to target the price conscious consumer through low cost airline operation (Eirma, 2008). 5.0 Competitor Analysis 5.1 Strategic Groups Figure 3 Strategic Group Analysis (Source: Johnson et al., 2008, p73-77.) Figure 3 illustrates that BAs direct competitors are those who operate similar services and lie within the same strategic group. The competition is likely to be most intense within this group as they are seeking similar strategies. Lufthansa and KLM-Air France are the 2 leading European Airlines Member carriers in terms of passenger numbers, with 15.1% and 14.1% respectively of the total number of passengers carried. BA comes in third with 9.3% of the total (Keynote, 2008c). BA face competition from a small number of serious contenders in the UK, with the main contenders being Virgin Atlantic, and United Airlines in the Star Alliance soon controlling BMI (Euromonitor, 2008). Although they do not lie within the same strategic group as BA the advent of low-cost air travel has changed the face of the airline industry. Airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet have established themselves among the leading carriers in Europe, whilst the more established long-haul carriers such as BA have struggled to keep up with their counterparts growth rates. Moreover the economic downturn and sharp fall in oil prices has caused a price war between Emirates, BA and Virgin Atlantic on the London-Dubai route. Fares have dropped by 30% across the airlines. Thus competition still remains fierce. Based on the strategic group analysis it could be argued that there is a gap in the market for a low cost airline operating a high breadth of service however it is likely the reason no airlines have adopted this strategy is due to the fact that it would be destined to fail. This assumption could be supported by BAs failed attempt to enter this market in recent years (Telegraph, 2002). 6.0 Internal Analysis It is now essential to analyse the internal environment in order to formulate appropriate strategies. 6.1 Value Chain Analysis (VCA) BA have tried to control the system further by forward and backward mitigation. Through controlling many component supplies in-house, and through BA Holidays Plc, BA increases their reach in the value system to the supplier and channel value chains. Figure 6 Value Chain (Adapted from: Johnson et al., 2008, p110) SUPPORT ACTIVITIES FIRM INFRASTRUCTURE Structured hierarchy allows BA to make use of a multitude of specialist knowledge in order to gain competitive advantage over downsized firms. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Invested in the development of customer service training in 2007 attracting the best employees. Speak Up opinion survey encourages employees to provide feedback (British Airways, 2008). TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT BA has added value in this category over smaller companies due to slack resources that can be employed to innovate the service (e.g. individual LCD screens). PROCUREMENT Due to the size and historical business relationships and alliances, BA is able to leverage suppliers and through economies of scale make efficiencies where competitors may fail. PRIMARY ACTIVITIES INBOUND LOGISTICS Stock Control High quality training accredited by City Guilds (British Airways, 2008). Ongoing relationship with suppliers (e.g. Gate Gourmet. OPERATIONS Increased Baggage Security. Quick check-in services and secure online bookings with ability to pre-book additional services. OUTBOUND LOGISTICS Customer Service Large database of airport slots enable passengers to access the majority of destinations from preferred airport. MARKETING SALES Marketing communications to all stakeholders. Brand allowing for large budget to be spent in this field. POST SALE SERVICE Loyalty club card. Update communication on other services Whilst the Value Chain highlights the primary and support activities that add value to BA, there are a number of inefficiencies within these activities that arguably reduce the amount of value provided (see figure 7 and 8). Figure 7 Support Activities Value Loss SUPPORT ACTIVITIES Firm Infrastructure Large bureaucratic infrastructure decreases effective communication and increases inertia. HRM BAs employee opinion surveys attracted a mere 35% response rate in 2007 (British Airways, 2008). Due to high collective bargaining capabilities, BA has contended a number of highly publicised employee relations issues (e.g. Cabin Crew strike over pay, sickness absence, and staffing in 2007 (BBC News, 2007). Technology Development BA has failed to gain recognition for new innovation. Figure 8 Primary Activities Value Loss PRIMARY ACTIVITIES Inbound Logistics High solidarity between supplier employees and BA employees has created a history of negative industrial action. For example, in 2005, BA employees walked out for two days when Gate Gourmet employees were sacked (BBC News, 2005). Operations/Outbound Logistics TV documentary reported on Terminal Five operation difficulties, an emergency landing at LHR, poor baggage handling and flight cancellations (Channel Four, 2008). Marketing Sales A lack of innovation in their marketing communications (e.g. Virgin gaining value over BA). 6.2 Key Strategic Issues Analysis Tool Key Findings Strategic Implications PESTEL Global economic crisis. Higher regulatory requirements. Increasing environmental awareness. Decline in consumer spending. Increased use of the internet by customers. Focus on technological and environmental issues. Porters Five Forces High competitive rivalry and bargaining power of suppliers. Defensive strategies needed to protect market share. Customer Analysis Consumer trends in high convenience and high expectations of service. Ensure changing customer needs are understood and met Strategic Group Analysis Intense competition within strategic group and trend for consolidation. The biggest other threat comes from low cost airlines. Although low cost airlines are the biggest threat to BA, moving into low cost market is not deemed appropriate based on previous failed attempts. Airline Quality Review BA = poor baggage handling, poor on flight entertainment and low customer satisfaction. Service Quality needs to be improved to gain a competitive advantage GE Matrix Highest growth markets; Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe. BA has a strong opportunity for market development in Asia and Eastern Europe. The Value Chain BA adds value; financial size and stability, brand image, industry expertise, and partnerships and alliances. BA loses value to competition; employee relations and performance, marketing delivery, reliability, and slow innovation. BA needs to address the areas where value is being lost to avoid attacking competitor strategies. Resource Based View Strong resources including sole access to hub within largest UK Airport. Strong training competencies. Utilise BA core competences to gain competitive advantage. Financial Analysis Increased profits and lower operating costs. Lower gearing ratios and higher liquidity. Possibility of a loss in 2009 as a result of the economic downturn. Investment resources available. Increased scrutiny on strategic projects for risk assessment. 7.0 Implementation Based on the analysis of strategic options it is proposed that two strategies are implemented simultaneously. These strategies are a people processes focused strategy and technological advancement. Figure 12 details the objectives and performance measures of these two strategies. Figure 12 Strategy Overview Strategy Objectives Performance Measures People processes Aim: Improved stakeholder brand image profitability Utilise databases. Improve service delivery efficiency. Improve internal communication. Implement effective review monitoring. Profit margin increase of 2 3%. Increase repeat purchasing by 25%. Increase customer recommendation from 59% (2007/08) to 70%. Improve employee survey rate from 35% (2007/08) to 80% (Value Chain). Technological advancement Aim: Customer Loyalty Market Share Following succession with test internet implementation, roll out internet on-board internet access. An appropriate pricing strategy involving complimentary service for first class whilst targeting business class as the most profitable market. Continued market research to ensure that this is a valued service and seek opportunities for further development. Install equipment on remaining 244 aircraft. Increase business class market share by 10%. 80% of business class customers purchasing internet usage. Following RD implement 1 new technological service. In order for the chosen strategies to be successful effective implementation is essential to organise and enable success and to manage the changes that will impact BA. 8.0 Managing Risk Risk management helps the organization to identify and address the risks facing their business and trying to increase the probability of successfully achieving their businesses objectives. Types of risk business need to face: Strategic Compliance Financial Operational Three main risk factors affecting all airline are volatility in jet fuel price, foreign exchange and interest rate risks. Interest Rate Risk: BA utilizes swap agreements to manage its interest rate exposure. Foreign Exchange Risk: BA manages its Foreign Exchange exposure. Any surplus of foreign currency is sold at spot or forward for US dollars. 9.0 Ethics An ethics strategy should be concerned with ensuring that all corporate activities are ethical, legal, and within all regulatory guidelines.   An ethics program is more likely to be considered effective if it includes the following components: 1)  Statement of Values The creation and communication of a statement of organizational values is considered to be necessary guidance. 2)  Code of Conduct A code of conduct or an ethics policy that communicates a commitment to ethical behavior throughout the organization, and explains how these values are to be applied in representative situations. 3)  Executive Leadership and a System A plan and systems for the communication, monitoring, and enforcement of the Code of Conduct. Important consideration in this respect, include: Richard Bransons success in forcing British Airways into adopting a Code of Conduct is a warning to companies that do not have a code that they ought to consider adopting one and to those that do that they should make sure it works. Without an effective ethical policy, a company cannot be sure that ethical judgments made by employees are consistent with the strategy of the company and are made at an appropriate level within it. Ethics protects the reputation of the company. British Airways is a classic example, where large amounts of marketing investment in image were undermined by the publics perception of its actions. British Airways experience shows that management may be deluding themselves if they consider that all employees in a company will adopt their values and the strategic importance of ethicality by absorbing knowledge from superiors. 10.0 Strategic V Operational Conflict While strategic and operational planning both offer beneficial aspects, there are some key differences that should be understood. Strategic planning is the formal process of defining the requirements for delivering high payoff results, and for identifying what, and how, to get from current realities to future ones that add value to the organization. It is not rigid nor lockstep, but rather a self-correcting set of defining requirements and relationships for stating what is in terms of results, and moving ever closer to what should be the results and payoffs.   Strategic Planning is long term planning undertaken by senior management (i.e. the executives). It involves making decisions which will work toward reaching an organisations mission and vision statements. Operational planning is day to day planning undertaken by front line managers. They report to middle management and enact the leg work of the strategies developed by middle management to achieve strategic goals. 11.0 Recommendation Although strong and justified strategies have been created within the confines of the report there are a number of issues which BA should take into consideration when implementing the proposed strategies. These are considered briefly below. 11.1 Financial BA should not have much trouble in implementing these strategies. With an increasingly lower gearing ratio and better liquidity they should be able to secure some funding from financial institutions and obtain the rest from retained profits. However, with the current economic conditions, it will still be difficult to obtain funding and BA will not want to increase its gearing too much. 11.2 People The recommended strategy to improve relations will require full support from BAs workforce. As a highly unionised workforce, success in changing the employment relationship will be determined by BAs ability to work efficiently with each recognised union. In regards to implementing change, due to BAs history and size the company may experience organisational inertia or myopia. Again, improvements to customer relations may be hindered by an uncooperative workforce, highlighting the importance of ongoing training and support. Similarly, a technological stance will require BAs employees to develop service knowledge, and it is imperative for the organisation to support them in doing so on a continual basis. 11.3 Legal The use of Wi-Fi on planes is already allowed by the aviation regulators in the UK, Europe and Rest of the World. However, regulatory approval must be achieved before it can be implemented on planes flying to/from USA (Wlanbook, 2008; Row 44, 2008). The use of external legal consultants should be used when implementing both strategies to ensure that legal requirements are met, especially when performing internal and external surveys and the confidentiality of data. 11.0 Conclusion As a result of the external and internal analysis a number of strategic options were proposed. It was concluded that a combined strategy approach to improve service quality was deemed most suitable. Due to the current industry climate we have chosen a strategy to consolidate BAs position as market leader. Due to the scale and scope of BAs operations it was decided that the focus of this report would be on scheduled passenger flights. We would recommend further strategic analysis to implement SBU level strategies. Due to lack of primary research and restricted access to company information there may be limitations in our findings and recommended strategy, however we believe that if the general direction of our suggested strategic intent is followed it will lead to lead to success. Reference Johnson, G.and Scholes, K (2002) Exploring Corporate Strategy.6th Edition.London, UK Prentice Hall. Kathleen B Hass, Richard Vander Horst, Kimi Ziemski (2008).  From Analyst to Leader: Elevating the Role of the Business Analyst Management Concepts, 2008.  ISBN 1567262139. p94: As the discipline of business analysis becomes professionalized HYPERLINK http://www.theiiba.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Learning/Bodyo

Radio Communication System for a Motorcycle

Radio Communication System for a Motorcycle Part 1: Introduction 1.1 BACKGROUND INVENTION This invention relates to a radio communication system for a motorcycle wherein a radio communication circuits is attached on a helmet and performs radio communication with another radio communication circuits attached on another helmet. This helmet provides a wireless communication between two helmets for intercommunication or entertainment system. It is also included with solar energy system which will recharge the battery so that it will be constantly applicable. That is why we call it â€Å"Smart Helmet†. As we know, there a number of different types of helmets that is use across many different type of industries and environment. However, they all are use in form of protective gear. For example, wearing hard hats is standard practice when working in construction site, as well as when operating heavy industrial equipment, etc. Sports athletes, such as baseball and football players, also wear helmets for protection and it is one of the most critical pieces of equipment for a professional race car driver. Helmets are also used in the military services and one type of helmet that is one of the more commonly seen is a motorcycle rider helmet. Motorcycle riding helmets are very sophisticated and specialized for the activity. In recent years, helmet wearers have encountered a wide array of methods by which audio content can be delivered to and transmitted from a helmet, such as a motorcycle or racing car helmet. Current systems for listening to music while riding a motorcycle generally involve a factory installed or aftermarket radio and speaker system mounted on the motorcycle. This is due to hard communication between each other within a motorcycle because of interruption in wind and engine noise. Thus, we invent a communication system ability to communicate with each other. The speaker system must be powerful enough to overcome the road, engine and wind noise to allow a rider to listen to the music when the motorcycle is at highway speeds. In this system, the rider usually has a wire connecting the helmet to a radio mounted on the helmet and the speakers. These systems may also include a microphone integrated into the helmet to allow riders to communicate each other. 1.2 PROJECT OBJECTIVES There are several main objectives for this project: To understands the basic concept of two way communication and solar energy system. To understands Push-to-Talk technology system To understands how solar energy system operates To enhance the ability of the helmet To perform circuit operation To gain knowledge on circuit designing and structure 1.3 PROJECT GOALS The Overall Project Goal was to enhance the quality and effectiveness of LSC grantees services to clients by providing training and technical assistance and serving as an information clearinghouse on technology innovations for the legal services community. There were two specific goals as identified in the Evaluation Framework approved by LSC: Provide training, technical assistance and informational resources that increase the understanding legal services program directors, managers and technology staff have about the ways the use of available technologies can improve services to clients. Publicize, promote and provide resource materials about successful local/national technology projects to foster the replication of technology innovations throughout the legal services community. 1.4 PROJECT SCOPE General Project Scope: The project will include rehabilitation or replacement of SN 050-0088. A bridge condition report (BCR), hydraulic report, type size and location (TSL) study, location drainage study and project report will be required and should follow the applicable Department manuals and guidelines. Intersection geometrics will be studied as needed in accordance with Department policies. Geotechnical testing and analysis will be required for development of type size and location drawings for the structure. The scope of work shall include all items necessary to provide an approved project report, bridge condition report, hydraulic report, location drainage study and type size and location drawings as needed. 1) Data Collection: Review data supplied by the district (old plans, pictures, traffic counts, survey data, crash data, right-of-way information, road-way data, and examples). Field check project, and review data from other sources. 2) Field Survey: A topographical survey will be required. Horizontal and vertical control will be provided by the District for the existing alignment. Survey of the existing structure shall include all necessary detail to meet Department policy and to support the proposed scope of construction. The survey shall extend down side roads and beyond existing right of way in order to accommodate anticipated proposed construction. Roadway survey shall extend at least 50 beyond the existing right of way and include any necessary drainage features. Survey shall extend 600 down intersecting roads and cross sections will be taken every 50 and at all entrances and special features. Bridge and hydraulic surveys will be required under this contract. Hydraulic surveys will follow Department policies. 3) Right of Way: The Department will draft existing right of way (station and offsets) on to the topography including property lines and owner identification. The district will provide names, addresses, and tax parcel I.D. numbers for all nearby property owners. IDOT will also mail the property owner letters regarding easements or proposed right of way. No right of way plats or plans will be included in this contract. The consultant will determine construction limits and proposed right of way and easement needs. The consultant will provide construction limits and all proposed ROW or easements on the plan and profile sheets. 4) Drafting: The consultant will plot existing and proposed plan and profile sheets, proposed drainage sheets, existing and proposed cross sections. Development of typical sections, preliminary staging details, proposed construction limits, proposed right of way and exhibits for included studies and reports will also be necessary along with any other work to complete the phase I study and other reports/studies. The consultant shall send the district one full size copy of the plan sheets for utility mark-ups. The district will make copies and send them to the utility companies. The consultant will then incorporate any utility information onto the plan sheets. 5) Alternate Design Studies: Alternatives will be studied to provide bicycle and pedestrian accommodations as part of structure rehabilitation or replacement. The preferred alternative will be incorporated into the planning and design of the project. 6) Location Drainage Studies: See the IDOT Drainage manual section 2-100 thru 2-500 for required format and analysis. Work includes studying the existing drainage patterns including structures, ditches, outlets, etc., developing drainage areas, determining discharges; developing a required system, comparing existing and proposed, developing alternates, determining impacts, developing recommendations, determination of culvert extensions, preliminary inlet spacing, capacity calculations; in-line storm water detention design; ditch design, minor culvert analysis, sizing storm sewer, and everything else needed to complete a drainage report for the project. The drainage study should address flooding records within the project as appropriate. 7) Hydraulic Report and Bridge Condition Report: Work shall include all items necessary to complete a hydraulic report and bridge condition report (BCR) for the structure. This includes, but is not limited to, hydraulic survey, bridge inspection/load rating, hydraulic analysis, staging feasibility determination and cost comparison. 8) Type Size Location Study: TSL studies will meet the requirements of the District and the Bureau of Bridges and Structures. Geotechnical testing and analysis will be necessary for development of the TSL. A preliminary TSL shall be submitted to the District for review before transmittal to the Bridge Office. 9) Intersection Design Studies: Two intersections are anticipated to be included in the scope of work (Dee Bennet Road and Starved Rock Road). Intersection design studies may be required at these locations. Traffic counts will determine the need for an IDS at each location. Typically 3 submittals are required draft, pre-final and final. IDS work includes signal warrant analysis at all locations, combination lighting, and capacity analysis at all locations, as well as all other requirements set forth in the Bureau of Design and Environment Manual. Traffic data will be provided by the district. 10) Preliminary Report: Work includes written report, calculating quantities, cost estimates, crash analysis, approval forms, structure fact sheet, design exception forms (if needed), roadway design, exhibits, photos, maps, typical sections, plan and profiles, IDS plans, environmental exhibits, existing and proposed vertical and horizontal data, design criteria checklist, tree schedule, culvert rehabilitation diagram, traffic management analysis, preliminary erosion control plan, and any other project related documents to complete the project report. The district will provide the following for insertion into the report if needed: Crash data and exhibits; coordination meeting minutes; hazardous mailbox support surveys; bridge condition report approval; letters to property owners and other local officials; environmental studies, analysis, and reports; and pavement design if needed. 11) Public Meetings (2 planned): Consultant will prepare exhibits and handouts, locate and reserve the meeting room and attend meetings such as the dry run, local official meeting, and the public meeting. Two public meetings (open house format) are anticipated, the first to evaluate alternatives and the second after the EA and all IDSs are completed. The first will be considered an informational meeting and the second a public hearing. Comments from each meeting may need to be incorporated into the project. Exhibits needed for public hearing: Location map, Crash maps, Purpose and Need, Summary of Key Environmental impacts, Full size set of plan and profile drawings including cross sections, approved IDSs , two sets of aerial exhibits / color drawings, board mounted proposed typical sections, draft project report, and a copy of the EA report that is approved by the FHWA for public review. The district will send letters to local officials, prepare minutes for local official meetings, and send response letters to citizens or groups as needed. The EA, after approval by the FHWA for public hearing, will be made available at the public hearing and for a minimum of 15 days in advance of the public hearing. The published hearing notice will announce the availability of the EA and where it may be obtained or reviewed. Public meeting exhibits are similar. The public meeting does not require environmental documents or approved IDSs. The consultant will forward display advertisements for each public meeting/hearing to two different newspapers chosen by the District and pay for these advertisements. This will be a direct cost. Rental of a meeting room will also be a direct cost. 12) Handling Traffic: Stage construction, detours and combinations of the two will be considered for this project. The consultant will identify construction methods and sequences which will minimize motorists inconvenience and incorporate this information into the Traffic Management Analysis for the project. The work will be limited to a conceptual plan only since detailed plans will be done in Phase II. A Queuing and Delay Analysis will be performed since IL 178 is considered to be â€Å"approaching significance† by Safety Policy 3-07. The consultant will provide pertinent data and District 3 will perform the analysis. 13) Progress meetings: The district estimates that 3 progress meetings with IDOT and 12 consultant in-house meeting will be required. Outside of typical administration. 14) Final Report: Compilation of the final report will be based on information from public meetings, comments from District circulation and other input which may impact the project. This also includes hours for revising preliminary report, printing, assembling, and binding the final report. 15) Environment: Anticipated Categorical Exclusion Follow Department policies This work includes examination of Environmental Survey Request (ESR) results to determine impacts and determine appropriate environmental documentation. The consultant will provide excavation depths and quantities for areas identified for special waste and will catalog trees impacts and make recommendations for tree replacement locations. IDOT will develop and submit ESR to Central Office for processing. If it is determined that an Environmental Assessment (EA) is the appropriate form of documentation the extra work will be added by supplemental agreement. Impacts to parks or Historic properties will be included in a supplement (if required). The district will prepare any Wetland Impact Evaluation forms (if required). 16) Administration: Project administration including payroll, billing and filing. This also includes project administration by sub-consultants. 17) Quality Control/Quality Assurance: This is a required line item for both labor hours and billing. This item is to include QC/QA hours of the prime consultant as well as any sub-consultant. 1.5 SYSTEM OPERATION 1.6 PUSH-TO-TALK INTRODUCTION Push-to-talk (PTT), also known as Press-to-Transmit, is a method of conversing on half-duplex communication lines, including two-way radio, using a momentary button to switch from voice reception mode to transmit mode and communication can only travel in one direction at any given moment. However, it is not limited in distance as with normal walkie-talkies, as the conversation is carried across the mobile network. A normal cell phone call is full-duplex, meaning both parties can hear each other at the same time. To control which person can speak and be heard, PTT requires the person speaking to press a button while talking and then release it when they are done. The listener then presses their button to respond. This way the system knows which direction the signal should be traveling in. Most PTT systems allow group calling, meaning one person can speak to everyone in their assigned or current group at once, just by pressing a PTT key. Other key features of the service mean that users immediately recognize it as different from normal voice. †¢ group calls are possible as well as one-to-one calls (but still only one person can talk at a time) †¢ presence information is normally associated with this service, so users can see on their phone screen whether other people are logged on to the PTT service and will therefore be available if called †¢ PTT voice services are typically priced below normal mobile phone calls (but obviously this is a marketing issue) †¢ call hold times are typically much shorter the walkie-talkie style of speech lends itself to the short, snappy transfer of specific information, rather than normal lengthier conversations †¢ the always-on nature of data networks makes for near instant call setup times that make it very easy to use. 1.7 SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM INTRODUCTION In todays climate of growing energy needs and increasing environmental concern, alternatives to the use of non-renewable and polluting fossil fuels have to be investigated. One such alternative is solar energy. Solar energy is quite simply the energy produced directly by the sun and collected elsewhere, normally the Earth. The sun creates its energy through a thermonuclear process that converts about 650,000,000 tons of hydrogen to helium every second. The process creates heat and electromagnetic radiation. The heat remains in the sun and is instrumental in maintaining the thermonuclear reaction. The electromagnetic radiation (including visible light, infra-red light, and ultra-violet radiation) streams out into space in all directions. Only a very small fraction of the total radiation produced reaches the Earth. The radiation that does reach the Earth is the indirect source of nearly every type of energy used today. The exceptions are geothermal energy, and nuclear fission and fusion. Even fossil fuels owe their origins to the sun; they were once living plants and animals whose life was dependent upon the sun. Much of the worlds required energy can be supplied directly by solar power. More still can be provided indirectly. The practicality of doing so will be examined, as well as the benefits and drawbacks. In addition, the uses solar energy is currently applied to will be noted.

what happened at Kmart :: essays research papers

Kmart, once the leader in the discount store industry, has found itself surpassed by Wal-Mart and Target in recent years and is now facing the possibility of closing its doors. The differences among the companies’ successes can be seen in their business models and strategies. Wal-Mart focused on decreasing expenses and Target established its market placement as a high-quality low-cost discount store. In contrast, Kmart used a promotions-driven business model. Because of this, Kmart focused on trying to generate sales from promotions, rather than trying to cut expenses to increase their profits Management contributed greatly to Kmart’s problems by not paying attention to their business environment. As their competitors worked at lowering costs and improving customer service, Kmart continued with its strategy to carry as many products as possible and offer promotion after promotion. Even after Charles Conaway took over, he continued expanding the products carried rather than focusing on those products that were most profitable. In all respects management failed to embrace technology as a means of improving the business. It was not until 1987, that Kmart began to put money into its information infrastructure. However, management rejected any use of technology that could benefit them. For example, while Kmart had the capability to collect data for forecasting, it did not. Rather management still developed the forecasts themselves. Additionally, a proposal to integrate computer systems in distribution was rejected because management thought it too costly. The technology lag in the distribution centers was so bad that reorders were often based on hand tracking. Kmart’s supply chain management contributed to their problems. The company did not have a strong relationship with suppliers. Unlike Wal-Mart where the supplier relationship focused on establishing strong sales of individual products, Kmart’s suppliers pushed them to sell as many products as possible. Because of the push of products into the system, Kmart continued using the promotion-based model. The promotion-based approach in turn led to inconsistent demand for products that made it difficult for Kmart to forecast and maintain optimal inventory levels. Also contributing to the supply chain problems was the organizational structure. The majority of shipping was planned centrally, rather than at the local level causing store inventories to be either in excess or short. Particularly in cases where inventory was in excess, stores ran into problems with warehousing and shrinkage.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The effort to rebuild the supply chain management systems was a step in the right direction.

A Defining Moment In High School Athletics Essay -- Personal Narrative

A Defining Moment In High School Athletics I was a part of something my senior year that not many High School students will ever experience. It is one of those things that I will tell my grand kids about in years to come. The 2002 Fort Defiance Wrestling Team had a winning season with a perfect record. Our accomplishments as a team and as individuals will be in the records books at Fort Defiance High School, Virginia. Students athletes who play sports in school have dreams for their and themselves. One of these dreams is being exceptional enough to make it to the trophy case. We made it! The hard work, long practices, and discipline within the sport and us paid off. We were the first wrestling at Fort Defiance to have a perfect season. The wrestling started training for the perfect season the first Monday after Labor Day it was the 9th of September 2002. The day was very hot and muggy. The temperature outside was about 95 degrees. We all knew that practice was going to be to very tough. We were going to regret not working out all summer. Since wrestling the team camp had been about two months earlier, and that was the last time we had trained. We knew that we were going to pay a huge price for not listing to our coach and staying in shape. The first couple of weeks were tougher than I imagined. The training went on for the next two months until the season started. Most people looked forward to the end of the school day when it is time t go home. However that was not the case for me during wrestling season. My fun was just starting. Everyday we ran two miles to start with, then a couple of sprints. Then we would go into the wrestling room and stretch do run downs, which is were you do 15 push-ups then 15 sit-ups then 1... ... a wrestler, its not for all people you either love it or u hate there is no in between, the sport is too hard to just do it for fun. Wrestling demands many things from a person and would not be a sport for everybody. There have been many times that I have questioned myself in the sport. It’s not only the physical aspect that is hard it is the mental aspect as well. Situations like not eating when you come home from practice so you can make weight. It’s waking up two hours before school starts so you can run to make weight. It’s believing in yourself when no one else does. It is a deep desire from within to be the best that you can be. My Wrestling experience in high school has shaped my life and made me the person I’m today. Being a wrestler is tough, but I’m thankful I had the experience. The lessons that I learned and the friendships made will carry though life.

Planning a Party Essay

Planning a party takes time and requires focus. You want to make sure you get everything covered and don’t leave out any details. You need to find a location, possibly a public venue or even your own home. Will you have a theme or keep it casual? Not only is the location important but who will be your party guests? You want to know who will be attending and where so that you can make proper arrangements for food, beverages, party favors and decorations. Finding the proper location for a party can be tricky. You will need to make sure that the venue can hold enough people depending on the size of the party. Do your research online first and see what sort of businesses in your area offer space to rent. Will there be enough parking available? Is the date of your party available at the time and location you chose? These are all important questions to ask while planning. Don’t forget to make a reservation or schedule a walk through. You may find the perfect place to host your party and choose to change your date. It all depends on what you want and what details are important to you. Once you have decided on your party venue and what your theme will be, if you decide to have one, then it’s time to start making a list of who you will be inviting. Remember just because you invite someone it does not mean they will be attending. This is when it becomes a good time to add an R.S.V.P to your invitation so you can get a better idea of the number of people who will actually be attending. If your guests will be allowed to bring someone make sure you put that on the invitation as well. Date, time and the type of dress are also important to include. You may choose to send a paper invite through the mail or send your invite by email. When choosing your invitation you can get creative with your theme or keep it basic. Next you have the task of tackling the details, food, drinks, decorations and party favors. If you choose to have food at your party be sure to plan ahead. Keep in mind the number of guests expected to attend and the age group. Catering is always an option or you may choose to make food or snacks on your own. When selecting beverages you may want to select a few options so that your guests have choices. When selecting decorations recruit the help of a friend or two for an outside opinion and help setting up. If your party will be themed try and stick to your theme while decorating. Getting a list together of what you would like can save you time. Party favors can be a fun way to thank your guests for attending and give them something to remember your party. There are loads of ideas online that you can use to get creative. Once you have all your ideas and details in place then your party is ready to come to life. There are so many options out there that can make your party just what you want it to be. Just remember to stay calm; getting stressed or discouraged will not make the process any fun. If you need help with something don’t be afraid to ask a friend. There are so many choices to make and endless possibilities. Give yourself adequate time to prepare. When it comes time for the party try to have fun and enjoy what you have created. If your guests see that you are relaxed and enjoying yourself they will relax and have a good time.